"Jim Wilkins" on Wed, 31 Jul 2013 15:59:58
-0400 typed in rec.crafts.metalworking the following:
"pyotr filipivich" wrote in message
.. .
We had a saying when I lived in Germany "Da TUV is tough." ...
tschus
pyotr

In the early 1970's American GIs didn't have to meet all the
requirements the Germans did, or pay their huge gas tax, but the
safety inspection was still more demanding than at home.

That's true.

For instance
the hand brake must be able to stop the car by locking up both rear
wheels. I heard that Germans couldn't even install spark plugs the
maker hadn't recommended.

I'm not sure if "couldn't" or "wouldn't". One major difference I
notice between the Americans and the Continentals, was the American
attitude of "Let's try it and find out." Not to mention we seemed to
be all natural DIY. And that included cars. It may be that cars were
a more integral part of US culture longer than they were in Germany.
So we had parents who had been messing about with cars when they were
"our age."
I can't be sure, but I think my Dad was at least familiar with
some hot rodders ... in his day.
--
pyotr filipivich
"With Age comes Wisdom. Although more often, Age travels alone."